Object Record

Collection

Speer Collection

Catalog Number

1999.0001.1397

Object Name

Mano

Description

A whole hand-held grinding stone, also known as a mano in Southern California archaeology. This bifacial stone is used with one hand for grinding and was shaped in construction. It is ovoid in shape. The stone material is a granitic (granite) with gold (weathered biotite) mica. It is fine grained.

This grinding or milling stone's ventral side is smooth and pitted. Its dorsal side is scuffed with an unidentified white substance, has some old losses, and shows slick areas that are pitted. Striations appearing on the surface suggest that this mano was used in an undulating or back and forth movement. Wear marks on the perimeter sides suggest little to no grinding use. The stone appears to be pecked on the both ventral and dorsal surfaces; pecking increases the grinding surface for greater traction.